Belt buckle with integrated pouch

ABSTRACT

Implementations of a removable belt buckle are provided. In some implementations, the removable belt buckle comprises a pouch configured to house a portable electronic device, a back plate attached to the back of the pouch, a first retaining hook extending from the back plate on a first side portion of the back plate, and a belt retaining ring extending from the back plate on a second side portion of the back plate, wherein the belt retaining ring includes a second retaining hook extending therefrom. In some implementations, the back plate and the belt retaining ring define an opening through which an end of a belt may be placed. The first retaining hook and the second retaining hook are configured to extend through the holes of a belt.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61/913,876, which was filed on Dec. 9, 2013, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a belt buckle having an integrated pouch.

BACKGROUND

Cell phones and other handheld personal electronic devices, such as an iPod® or MP3 player, are nearly ubiquitous throughout society. The problem lies in where to store the cell phone when not in use. Due to the size of a particular cell phone, it may not easily fit into the pockets provided on a particular style of pants. Even if it does fit in a particular pocket, it may not be easily retrieved. Also, storing the phone in a back pocket presents several problems. Due to the construction of many cell phones, sitting on them could result in breakage. Further, the cell phone may be uncomfortable for the user to sit on.

U.S. Patent Application Pub. No. 2013/0214021 (“'021 patent application”) discloses a belt buckle with a storage compartment. However, the belt buckle disclosed in the '021 patent application has several disadvantages. First, the belt buckle does not provide a means to easily remove the contents stored in the container without at least partially disassembling the container. Second, integral components of the buckle's container may become lost when the container is disassembled. Third, it may be difficult to retrieve small items from the container. Fourth, the buckle may sag or tilt forward away from a wearer's body, for example, from its own weight or the combined weight of the container and its contents.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of an implementation of a removable belt buckle according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 illustrates a back view of an implementation of a removable belt buckle according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 illustrates example end portions of a belt according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 illustrates an implementation of a removable belt buckle attached to a belt according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 illustrates an implementation of a front of a pouch of a removable belt buckle according to the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 illustrates an implementation of a front of a pouch of a removable belt buckle according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a removable belt buckle are provided. In some implementations, the removable belt buckle comprises a pouch configured to house a portable electronic device, a back plate attached to the back of the pouch, a first retaining hook extending from the back plate on a first side portion of the back plate, and a belt retaining ring extending from the back plate on a second side portion of the back plate. In some implementations, the belt retaining ring includes a second retaining hook extending from the belt retaining ring. In some implementations, the back plate and the belt retaining ring define an opening through which an end of a belt may be placed. In some implementations, the first retaining hook and the second retaining hook are configured to extend through the holes of a belt.

In some implementations, the pouch comprises a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a first cutout and a second cutout. In some implementations, the first cutout may be on a top side of an outer surface of the pocket portion and the second cutout may be on a bottom side of the outer surface of the pocket portion.

In some implementations, the pouch comprises a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a cutout that extends from a top side to a bottom side of an outer surface of the pocket portion.

In some implementations, a belt according to the present disclosure comprises a first end portion having one or more openings and a second end portion having a fastener wherein the fastener includes a first piece and a second piece. In some implementations, the second end portion further comprises at least one opening between the first piece and the second piece of the fastener. In some implementations, to attach a belt buckle according to the present disclosure to the belt, the second end portion of the belt is inserted through the opening defined by the belt retaining ring and the plate. Then, the second retaining hook is inserted through the at least one opening of the second end portion of the belt. Then, the second end portion of the belt is looped over the top of the belt retaining ring and the first piece of the fastener is secured to the second piece.

FIG. 1 illustrates a back view of an implementation of a removable belt buckle 100 according to the present disclosure. In some implementations, the removable belt buckle 100 comprises a pouch 30 configured to house a portable electronic device, a back plate 10 attached to the back of the pouch, a first retaining hook 12A extending from the back plate 10 on a first side portion of the back plate 10, and a belt retaining ring 34 extending from the back plate on a second side portion of the back plate 10, wherein the belt retaining ring 34 includes a second retaining hook 12 a extending therefrom. In some implementations, the second retaining hook 12 b may be adjacent the belt retaining ring 35 and extend from the back plate 10 similar to the first retaining hook 12A.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some implementations, the back plate 10 is on an outer surface of the pouch 30. As shown in FIG. 2, in some implementations, the back plate 10 may be contained within the pouch wherein the first retaining hook 12A and the belt retaining ring 34 extend through the pouch via openings in the pouch 30. In some implementations, the back plate 10 may be manufactured from a stainless steel. In other implementations, the back plate 10 may be manufactured from aluminum, galvanized metal or another metal which is of a zinc alloy. In still other implementations, the back plate 10 may be manufactured from a rigid synthetic material such as carbon fiber. In some implementations, the back plate 10 may be manufactured from any suitable material.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some implementations, the belt retaining ring 34 comprises a first end portion 34 a, second end portion 34 b, and a middle portion 34 c extending from the first end portion 34 a to the second end portion 34 b. The first end portion 34 a and the second end portion 34 b extend from the back plate 10. The back plate 10 and the belt retaining ring 34 define an opening 34 d through which an end of a belt may be placed.

The first retaining hook 12 a and the second retaining hook 12 b (collectively “retaining hooks 12”) are configured to extend through the holes of a belt. In some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 may extend from the back plate 10 at an angle such that the tips of the retaining hooks are point towards the center of the back plate 10. In some implementations the retaining hooks 12 may be aligned along a longitudinal axis of the back plate 10. As shown in FIG. 1, in some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 may be located on or near the centerline of the back plate 10. As shown in FIG. 4, in some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 are offset from the centerline of the back plate 10 and located on a longitudinal axis that is closer to the top of the back plate 10. This may help prevent the pouch 30 from tilting away from a wearer's body or reduce the amount of tilt. In some implementations, four retaining hooks are provided to better stabilize the back plate 10 and thereby the attached pouch 30.

In some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 are of a uniform thickness. In other implementations, the retaining hooks 12 are thinner at the distal end and thicker at the proximal end near the back plate 10.

In some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 are manufactured from the same material as the back plate 10. In some implementations, the retaining hooks 12 are manufactured from any suitable material.

FIG. 3 illustrates example end portions 50 a, b of a belt 50 according to the present disclosure. A first end portion 50 a may include one or more openings 54 a for receiving the first retaining hook 12 a. A second end portion 50 b may include a snap 52 having a male and female portion. In some implementations, the second end portion 50 b includes any fastening technology having a first and second portion. The fastening means may include snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), magnets or other reclosable fasteners or any other attachment or fastening technology existing or developed in the future to secure the flap in the closed position.

In some implementations, the second end portion 50 b may further include at least one opening 54 b for receiving the second retaining hook 12 b wherein the opening 54 b is between the male and female portion of the snap 52.

In some implementations, the belt 50 may be manufactured from leather.

In some implementations, the belt 50 may be manufactured from nylon or similar material. In some implementations, the belt 50 may be manufactured from any suitable material. In some implementations, the openings 54 a, b may be formed with grommet(s), or similar device.

To attach the belt buckle 100 to the belt 50, the second end portion 50 b of the belt 50 is inserted under the belt retaining ring 34 and through the opening 34 c defined by the belt retaining ring 34 and the back plate 10. Then, the second retaining hook 12 b is inserted through the opening 54 b. Next, the second end portion 50 b is looped over the top of the belt retaining ring 34 and the male and female portions of the snap 52 are secured together as shown in FIG. 4.

To attach the first end portion 50 a to the belt 50, the first retaining hook 12 a is inserted through one of the opening 54 a of the first end portion 50 a.

FIG. 5 illustrates an implementation of a front of the pouch 30 of the removable belt buckle 100 according to the present disclosure. In some implementations, the pouch 30 comprises a flap 36 to cover the opening of the pouch 30, and a pocket portion 37 configured to house a portable electronic device. The outer surface of the pocket portion 37 includes two cutouts 40 and 38 on its top side and bottom side respectively. The lower cutout 38 may allow a user to push up the contents of the pouch 30 and thereby to retrieve the contents more easily. The upper cutout 40 may allow for easier access to the content of the pouch 30 through the top opening.

In some implementations, the pouch 30 may include fastening means to secure the flap 36 to the pocket portion 37 in a closed position. The fastening means may include snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), magnets or other reclosable fasteners or any other attachment or fastening technology existing or developed in the future to secure the flap in the closed position.

FIG. 6 illustrates another implementation of a front of a pouch 60 of the removable belt buckle 100. In some implementations, the pouch 60 comprises a flap 66 to cover the opening of the pouch 60, and a pocket portion 67 configured to house a portable electronic device. The outer surface of the pocket portion 67 includes a cutout 68 extending from its top side to its bottom side. The cutout 68 may allow a user to push up the contents of the pouch 60 and thereby to retrieve the contents more easily. The cutout 68 may allow for easier access to the content of the pouch 60 through the top opening.

In some implementations, the pouch 30, 60 may be manufactured from leather. In some implementations, the pouch 30, 60 may be manufactured from nylon and/or other synthetic materials which are known or may become known. In some implementations, the pouch 30 may be manufactured from any suitable material.

In some implementations, the internal dimensions of the pouch 30, 60 may be varied to accommodate cells phones of various dimensions. Such a configuration of the pouch 30, 60 would, in general, be suitable for receiving and containing therein a wallet, passport, pocket knife, a firearm, eye glasses, flask, calculator, hygiene products or other similar or suitably sized devices.

In other implementations, the pouch 30, 60 may be specifically built to hold the aforementioned items or any other items. In some implementations, the dimensions of the back plate 10 may be adjusted to closely match the external dimensions of the pouch 30, 60. In some implementations, the dimensions of the back plate 10 are not directly correlated to the dimensions of the pouch 30, 60.

In some implementations, the back plate 10 can be adapted to work with existing containers or pouches.

In some implementations, the pouch 30, 60 may not include the back plate 10.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results. 

1. A belt buckle comprising: a plate comprising: a first retaining hook extending from the plate on a first side portion of the plate, a belt retaining ring extending from the plate on a second side portion of the plate, and a second retaining hook extending from the belt retaining ring; wherein the belt retaining ring comprises a first end portion, a second end portion, and a middle portion extending from the first end portion to the second end portion, wherein the first end portion and the second end portion extend from the plate such that the plate and the belt retaining ring define an opening, wherein the first retaining hook and the second retaining hook are configured to extend through the holes of a belt.
 2. The belt buckle of claim 1 wherein the first retaining hook and the second retaining hook are offset from the centerline of the plate and located on a longitudinal axis that is closer to the top of the plate.
 3. The belt buckle of claim 1 further comprising a pouch wherein the plate is attached to the pouch.
 4. The belt buckle of claim 3 wherein the pouch comprises a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a first cutout and a second cutout wherein the first cutout is on a top side of an outer surface of the pocket portion and the second cutout is on a bottom side of the outer surface of the pocket portion.
 5. The belt buckle of claim 3 wherein the pouch comprises a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a cutout wherein the cutout extends from a top side to a bottom side of an outer surface of the pocket portion.
 6. A method of attaching the belt buckle of claim 1 to a belt where the belt comprises a first end portion having one or more openings, a second end portion having a fastener having a first piece and a second piece, the second end portion further comprising at least one opening between the first piece and the second piece of the fastener, the method comprising: inserting the second end portion of the belt through the opening defined by the belt retaining ring and the plate; inserting the second retaining hook through the at least one opening of the second end portion of the belt; looping the second end portion of the belt over the top of the belt retaining ring; and securing the first piece of the fastener to the second piece.
 7. A pouch comprising: a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a first cutout and a second cutout wherein the first cutout is on a top side of an outer surface of the pocket portion and the second cutout is on a bottom side of the outer surface of the pocket portion.
 8. A pouch comprising: a pocket portion wherein the pocket portion includes a cutout wherein the cutout extends from a top side to a bottom side of an outer surface of the pocket portion. 